Second Chance for Cancer Research in Cornwall

Donating unwanted items to Long Rock’s new charity shop can help cancer research projects right here in Cornwall.

‘Second Chance’ has been opened in the village Post Office by a team of three volunteers to raise funds for The Cancer Research Fund for Cornwall part of The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity.

The shop, opened by Denise Oldcorn and fellow volunteers Hilary Jones and Mel Mitchell, will sell good quality preloved clothes, books and bric-a-brac and is located in a room within the Post Office.

“We are all very excited about opening the new shop and are so grateful to the Post Office for generously allowing us to use the space. We hope that we will be able to generate funds for such a worthwhile local charity,”

said Denise.

Kirsty Maclean, Cancer Research Sister at Royal Cornwall Hospital explains just what a difference support from charity shops such as this one can make,

“Some of our trials are using ground-breaking treatments. Just 4 years ago there was no effective treatment for Melanoma (skin cancer) and Lung Cancer, now new treatments have come to fruition and are standard treatments after being part of research studies.”

“A recent colorectal study, to which Royal Cornwall Hospital recruited over 100 patients, has resulted in the standard treatment time being reduced from 24 to 12 weeks which significantly reduces what can be life impacting side effects,”

said Kirsty.

“Donations to the Cancer Research Fund have already enabled us to open The Horizon Suite which is a specific research room with comfortable facilities for the patients and space for their families. Some patients will spend over 4 hours with us and for them to be comfortable is high on the list of priorities. Having a dedicated space also means that we are not blocking rooms and delaying treatments for other patients receiving care at the hospital,”

Kirsty added.

‘Second Chance’ will initially be open from 10 – 12 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The volunteers are very keen to increase the opening hours and are asking anyone to get in touch if they are interested in giving just a couple of hours a week to help in the shop. Email deniseoldcorn@hotmail.com or call Amanda Datson at Royal Cornwall Hospital on 01872 256420 for more information.